When Juan Pablo Montoya, who was dominating the Brickyard 400 NASCAR race from Indianapolis, was penalized by NASCAR for speeding on pit road today I turned the television off and went outside to work in the garden. I knew then that a Hendrick car was, indeed, being fitted by NASCAR for a 'win' at the Brickyard. It was bad enough that the pre-race hoopla, primarily on ESPN, focused on the Hendrick drivers ad nauseum to the point where once again fans became suspicious as to the fineagled race outcome. Usually when that happens you can bet someone is being groomed for the winner's circle.
Imagine my lack of surprise when I came back inside and turned the sports on, to find that Jimmie Johnson had won the race. NASCAR did not want Montoya to win this event--that was obvious. It's a shame they have become so transparent. And then NASCAR wonders why fans are leaving the sport in droves....
Incidentally, the plethora of empty seats at the famed Brickyard exceeded even our expectations. Why bother to pay for a ticket and go to the race if you can be relatively sure that NASCAR controlling-Hendrick racing is going to virtually be guaranteed a win???
